Sprayable coating agent, its production, further processing and use thereof

ABSTRACT

A sprayable coating agent is disclosed in the form of granules with which the granules are compacted to form a pressed piece, subsequently ground up and optionally sieved, whereby the granules have the following particle-size distribution: 0%-40% by weight: 0-600 microns; 5%-55% by weight: 600-1250 microns; 5%-95% by weight: &gt;1250 microns; or 15% by weight: 0-800 microns; 0%-85% by weight: 800-2000 microns; 0%-15% by weight: &gt;2000 microns. Likewise disclosed are its production, further processing and use for internal and external applications.

This is a 371 of PCT/EP03/10910, filed Oct. 2, 2003.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a sprayable coating agent, its production, itsfurther processing and its use for the decorative coating, finishing orstructuring of surfaces, particularly walls and ceilings.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

German utility models DE 296 21 864 U1 and DE 296 04 493 U1 as well asGerman preliminary published applications DE 43 17 957 A1 and DE 36 06167 A1 disclose sprayable coating agents for surface-structured wall orceiling coverings as alternatives to liquid wood chips or wood-chipwallpaper. This is a material mixture consisting of cellulose fiberswith curing agents, binders, colorants and water. Additives made ofother cellulosic and inorganic materials are likewise claimed. Thesurface structure is changed by varying the air pressure during thespraying and by changing the consistency of the compound. According toGerman utility model DE 296 04 493 U1, a surface structure matchingrough plaster is created when the air blisters burst.

Likewise known are dry mixtures based on cellulose fibers that dissolvein water and that can be employed to cover walls and ceilings. Familiarcommercial products for covering walls and ceilings are, for example,Naturlan Nature-Floc® on the basis of cotton fibers as well as Faseriton the basis of wood, marble meal, loading materials and vegetableadhesives.

The above-mentioned coating agents and methods, however, only allow thecreation of surface structures that are sprayed with a semi-fluid, pastycompound employing a variable supply of compressed air. Since thecellulose breaks down into fine fibers, this structure is fundamentallydifferent from purely grainy structures of the type known from texturedplaster (grainy loading materials such as marble meal, sand orsilicate). It is difficult and complex to establish and reproduce auniform surface structure via the air pressure and this can only be doneby an experienced specialist. In the case of textured and structuredplaster, it is also difficult to apply a uniform grainy structure onto awall or ceiling. Overhead work is tricky and can only be performed withskilled craftsmanship.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is the objective of the invention to create anothersprayable coating agent that serves to make surface-structured wall orceiling coverings and that allows simple, fast and cost-efficientcoating of surfaces, structural diversity and uncomplicated processingwith machines. Furthermore, the surface structure should be uniform andvisually comparable to the classic rough plaster structure after just asingle coating step, without retouching.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, the invention relates to a sprayable coating agent in theform of granules containing cellulose and/or regenerated celluloseand/or cellulosic raw materials as well as mixtures thereof withsynthetic fibers and/or inorganic fibers and/or inorganic,coarse-grained, fine-grained or pulverulent substances and/or organicpolymer materials and/or auxiliaries or additives, whereby the startingmaterials and/or mixtures thereof are compacted to form a pressed piece,subsequently ground up and optionally sieved, so that the granules havea density of 1 g/cm³ to 5 g/cm³, a moisture content of 1% to 20%, a bulkdensity of 150 g/l to 1500 g/l and so that the ground up and optionallysieved granules have the following particle-size distribution:

0-40% by weight 0-600 μm 5-55% by weight 600-1250 μm 5-95% byweight >1250 μm or 0-15% by weight 0-800 μm 10-85% by weight 800-2000 μm0-15% by weight >2000 μm.

Accordingly, the starting materials and/or mixtures thereof arecompacted to form a pressed piece in a generally known manner using acommercially available compactor. In this context, we hereby makereference to, for instance, Ullmanns Enzyklopädie der technischen Chemie[Ullmann's encyclopedia of industrial chemistry], 4^(th) Edition, 1972,Volume 2, pages 315 to 320 regarding briquetting. Flat-matrix presses(e.g. type 38-70 manufactured by the Kahl company) should also bementioned here by way of an example. The pressed piece is subsequentlyground up as a function of the application and optionally sieved. As faras the grinding operation is concerned, we hereby make reference toUllmann, op. cit., Volume 2, pages 1 to 23 regarding comminution.

Any type of cellulosic material can be used for the compacting. In orderto improve the product properties and/or to achieve certain visualeffects, synthetic fibers and/or inorganic fibers and/or organicsubstances and/or inorganic substances and/or other auxiliaries andadditives can be admixed with the cellulose and/or with the cellulosicraw materials prior to the compacting operation.

Additional advantageous features of the invention are defined in thesubordinate claims. Accordingly, the density of the granules preferablyranges from 1.2 g/cm³ to 3.1 g/cm³. The granules preferably contain 2%to 12% water. The bulk density of the granules is preferably 170 g/l to600 g/l.

The finer granules preferably exhibit the following particle-sizedistribution:

0.2-5% by weight <100 μm 1-15% by weight 100-250 μm 4-25% by weight250-400 μm 8-30% by weight 400-600 μm 10-35% by weight 600-800 μm 15-40%by weight 800-1250 μm 7-20% by weight >1250 μm.

The coarser granules preferably exhibit the following particle-sizedistribution:

5-10% by weight <800 μm 10-50% by weight 800-1250 μm 25-70% by weight1250-1600 μm 7-15% by weight 1600-2000 μm 3-5% by weight >2000 μm.

The cellulose and the cellulosic raw materials can be cotton, linters,pulp, paper, flax, hemp, jute, cuprammonium silk, rayon, lyocel, coloredfibers, wood, sawdust, wood shavings, straw and/or cork or else mixturesthereof. The cellulosic proportion in the granules ranges from 40% to100% by weight, preferably from 60% to 90% by weight.

The synthetic fibers can be polyester, polyamide, polyacrylonitrile,polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene and/or acetate fibers. Theproportion of synthetic fibers in the granules ranges from 0% to 60% byweight, preferably from 5% to 30% by weight.

The inorganic fibers can be silicate, water glass, glass, metal and/orcarbon fibers. The proportion of inorganic fibers in the granules rangesfrom 0% to 60% by weight, preferably from 5% to 30% by weight.

The inorganic substances can be marble, quartz sand, silicic acid,chalk, gypsum, carbonates and/or metal oxides. The proportion ofinorganic additives in the granules ranges from 0% to 40% by weight,preferably from 5% to 25% by weight.

The organic substances can be polyethylene, polypropylene,polytetrafluoroethylene (Teflon®), polystyrene foam (Stryropor®),acrylates, rubber and/or other modified and unmodified polysaccharides.The proportion of organic substances in the granules ranges from 0% to40% by weight, preferably from 5% to 25% by weight.

The auxiliaries and additives can be organic or inorganic substances,organic or inorganic colorants, binders, curing agents, dispersants,preservatives, fungicides, mica, flame-resistant materials,nanoparticles of any type and/or water. The proportion of auxiliaries oradditives in the granules ranges from 0% to 40% by weight, preferablyfrom 1 % to 25% by weight.

The fibrous and coarse-grained starting materials are ground up beforethe granulation by means of familiar methods, for example, using aBexmill BM or a sieving mill FC, manufactured by Hosokawa Bepex GmbH, ora Condux cutting mill or a hammer mill.

The grinding stock exhibits the following particle-size distribution:

45-65% by weight, preferably 50-60% by weight  >40 μm 25-45% by weight,preferably 30-40% by weight  >50 μm  5-20% by weight, preferably 10-15%by weight  >63 μm  0-10% by weight, preferably  2-5% by weight  >90 μm 0-5% by weight, preferably  1-3% by weight >100 μm.

The pre-ground starting materials or mixtures thereof are compacted toform a pressed piece in a generally known manner using a commerciallyavailable compactor. The pressed piece is then ground up to a specificparticle size as a function of the desired structure, the desired visualeffect or the desired roughness of the surface to be created, and thenoptionally sieved using, for instance, a vibratory sieving machine, inorder to remove certain fines.

Some of the auxiliaries or additives can be admixed with the startingmaterials or material mixtures prior to the compacting, grinding orsieving operations.

Water is added to the starting materials or material mixtures prior tothe compacting, grinding or sieving operations.

The granules are pre-mixed with water, optionally with the addition ofconventional auxiliaries and/or additives, and then stored in plasticcontainers, or else mixed directly on site to yield a stiff, semi-fluid,pasty compound and subsequently applied in one single operation at anydesired layer thickness and without seams using, for example, acommercially available funnel-type spray gun. The desired surfacestructure is determined by the granularity of the granules. The coatingcompound can also be applied onto the wall and/or ceiling surface to becoated with familiar techniques using, for instance, a trowel orspatula.

A decisive aspect is that the cellulosic granules retain theirconsistency, even in the ready-made mixtures, and do not break down intofibers like the known coating agents do. Experiments have shown that thesemi-fluid, pasty granule mixture retains its consistency even after aprolonged pot life, that is to say, it remains stable and unchanged.

For wall or ceiling coverings, as an alternative to the ready-made pastygranule mixture, a dry granule mixture can be prepared that contains thegranules and the auxiliaries or additives suitable for the applicationcase in question. All that needs to be done is to stir the dry granulemixture with water at the appropriate ratio on site, after which it canbe applied. This translates into savings in terms of weight and storagespace. Moreover, the user can employ the dry granule mixture as needed.

When the coating compound is prepared, colored fibers and/or metallicfibers and/or metallic particles and/or mother-of-pearl and/or inorganicand/or organic dyed particles can be optionally added in order toachieve certain visual effects.

The granules and/or the granule mixtures are suitable for interior andexterior applications, but particularly for interior applications.

The surface structure thus obtained is clearly distinct from the coatingagents on the basis of cellulose fibers known so far for walls andceilings. The material is very easy to process and it gives rise to anattractive, seamless rough plaster structure that can be applied ontoneutral substrates without primers.

Thanks to its good covering power and ply bond, the coating mixture canusually be applied directly onto existing wallpaper or other surfacesthat are in need of renovation. The color and structure remainconsistent, these wall coverings can be painted over, they are rugged,can be repaired at any time and are also suitable for use in wet rooms.Unlike conventional coatings, the applied coating dries quickly andcures uniformly.

The present invention will now be described in greater detail withreference to examples of embodiments.

The present invention will first be explained by figures, wherebysamples according to the state of the art and according to the inventionare applied onto a wall at distances of 100 cm, 50 cm and 25 cm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following is shown:

FIG. 1—a surface structure according to the state of the art on thebasis of Comparative Example 1 below (taken at a distance of 1 meter);

FIGS. 1 a and 1 b—magnified views of the structure from FIG. 1, taken ata distance of 50 cm and 25 cm;

FIG. 2—a surface structure according to the invention on the basis ofExample 1 below;

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b—magnified views of the structure from FIG. 2;

FIG. 3—a surface structure according to Example 2 below;

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b—magnified views of the structure from FIG. 3;

FIG. 4—a surface structure according to the invention on the basis ofExample 3 below;

FIGS. 4 a and 4 b—magnified views of the structure from FIG. 4;

FIG. 5—a surface structure according to the state of the art on thebasis of Comparative Example 2 below;

FIGS. 5 a and 5 b—magnified views of the structure from FIG. 5;

FIG. 6—a surface structure according to the state of the art on thebasis of Comparative Example 3 below;

FIGS. 6 a and 6 b—magnified views of the structure from FIG. 6;

FIG. 7—a surface structure according to the state of the art on thebasis of Comparative Example 4 below;

FIGS. 7 a and 7 b—magnified views of the structure from FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

As can be seen in FIGS. 2, 2 a, 2 b, 3, 3 a, 3 b, 4, 4 a and 4 baccording to the invention, coating agents on the basis of cellulosicgranules yield completely different surface structures from thoseobtained with the prior-art coating agents according to FIGS. 1, 1 a, 1b, 5, 5 a, 5 b, 6, 6 a, 6 b, 7, 7 a, 7 b. By means of the particle-sizedistribution, the surface structure of a coating can be varied asdesired in a very simple manner. More details will be found in theexamples of embodiments below.

The present invention will also be explained in greater detail by meansof the following embodiment examples and comparative examples.

The following measuring methods were employed to characterize thegranules, granule mixtures and coating compound as well as the startingmaterials and the comparative products:

1. Bulk Density

The sample was filled into a 1000-ml measuring flask and the weight wasdetermined by means of weighing.

2. Density

The density was determined using a helium gas pyknometer (Pyknomatic 200manufactured by the Porotec company).

3. Sieve Size

-   a. Determining the sieve size of materials having short or long    fibers

The sieve size of short-fiber and long-fiber materials is determinedwith an Alpine air-jet sieve; running time of one minute.

-   b. Determining the sieve size of granules and granule mixtures

The sieve size of granules and granule mixtures is determined using anAS 200 basic analytical sieving machine manufactured by the Retschcompany and an analytical sieve according to DIN ISO 3310/1 having adiameter of 200 mm and a height of 50 mm.

4. Viscosity Determination

The viscosity (consistency) of the coating compound was determined at20° C. [68° F.] using a rotational viscosimeter manufactured by theBrookfield company, type RVT, and spindle no. 6, at 20 rpm and 50 rpm.

Production of the Granules

A total of 40 kg of pre-ground cellulose (pulp), type 402-2b,manufactured by the Mikro-Technik company, and 3 liters of water areplaced into a 300-liter Drais mixer. The mixture is intensely stirredfor 20 minutes. Hard shells are made using a PHARMAPAKTOR L200/50Pmanufactured by Hosokawa Bepex GmbH, fitted with a 12-mmcorrugated-profile roller, laterally closed, and a cylindrical/conicalscrew, at a contact force ranging from 130 kN to 150 kN. Subsequently,the shells are ground up employing a sieving mill manufactured byHosokawa Bepex GmbH and fitted with a 3 mm-mesh sieve; the grindingstock is then sieved with a vibratory sieving machine manufactured byHosokawa Bepex GmbH and fitted with a 2 mm-mesh sieve insert.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 1

One liter (1550 grams) of acrylic exterior paint and 1.5 liters of waterare added to 2 liters (256 grams) of pre-ground cellulose (pulp), type402-2b, manufactured by the Mikro-Technik company. Subsequently, themixture is thoroughly stirred with an agitator. The result is a pasty,sprayable compound that can be sprayed onto a wall employing acommercially available funnel-type spray gun operated using air pressure(1 to 6 bar) with a 4-mm to 8-mm nozzle disk (FIG. 1 and FIG. 1 a).

The viscosity of the coating compound is 3100 mPas.

The pre-ground cellulose has the following particle-size distribution(with an Alpine air-jet sieve):

57.7% by weight  >40 μm 34.7% by weight  >50 μm 11.4% by weight  >63 μm 3.3% by weight  >90 μm  0.0% by weight >100 μm.

The bulk density of the ground-up cellulose is 128 g/l and the moisturecontent is 2.4%.

It can be clearly seen in FIGS. 1 and 1 a that the surface structure ofthe coating with cellulose fibers is completely different from thesurface structure of the coatings with cellulosic granules (see FIG. 2,FIG. 2 a, FIG. 3, FIG. 3 a, FIG. 4 and FIG. 4 a). The surface structureof the coating is comparable to the surface structures of coatings madewith commercially available coating agents (see FIG. 5, FIG. 5 a, FIG.6, FIG. 6 a, FIG. 7 and FIG. 7 a). In this case, the surface structureis formed primarily by the bursting of the air blisters. Only verylimited variations of the surface structure are possible with coatingson the basis of cellulosic fibers.

EXAMPLE 1

One liter (1550 grams) of acrylic exterior paint and 1.8 liters of waterare added to 2 liters (704 grams) of pre-ground, non-sieved granules.Subsequently, the mixture is thoroughly stirred with an agitator. Theresult is a pasty, sprayable compound that can be sprayed onto a wallemploying a commercially available funnel-type spray gun operated usingair pressure (1 to 6 bar) with a 4-mm to 8-mm nozzle disk (FIG. 2, FIG.2 a and FIG. 2 b).

The viscosity of the coating compound is 5400 mPas.

The pre-ground, non-sieved granules have the following particle-sizedistribution (using a 200 basic analytical sieving machine):

2.5% by weight <100 μm 18.8% by weight 100-250 μm 7.5% by weight 250-400μm 11.9% by weight 400-600 μm 27.1% by weight 800-1250 μm 19.7% byweight >1250 μm.

The bulk density of the pre-ground, non-sieved granules is 352 g/l andthe moisture content is 5.7%.

EXAMPLE 2

One liter (1550 grams) of acrylic exterior paint and 1.8 liters of waterare added to 2 liters (652 grams) of sieved granules. Subsequently, themixture is thoroughly stirred with an agitator. The result is a pasty,sprayable compound that can be sprayed onto a wall employing acommercially available funnel-type spray gun operated using air pressure(1 to 6 bar) with a 4-mm to 8-mm nozzle disk (FIG. 3, FIG. 3 a and FIG.3 b).

The viscosity of the coating compound is 2500 mPas.

The sieved granules have the following particle-size distribution (witha 200 basic analytical sieving machine):

6.1% by weight <100 μm 4.3% by weight 100-250 μm 6.2% by weight 250-400μm 14.0% by weight 400-600 μm 14.5% by weight 600-800 μm 43.1% by weight800-1250 μm 12.0% by weight >1250 μm.

The bulk density of the sieved granules is 326 g/l and the moisturecontent is 5.9%.

EXAMPLE 3

One liter (1550 grams) of acrylic exterior paint and 1.6 liters of waterare added to 2 liters (930 grams) of coarse granules. Subsequently, themixture is thoroughly stirred with an agitator. The result is a pasty,sprayable compound that can be sprayed onto a wall employing acommercially available funnel-type spray gun operated using air pressure(1 to 6 bar) with a 4-mm to 8-mm nozzle disk (FIG. 4, FIG. 4 a and FIG.4 b).

The viscosity of the coating compound is 2800 mpas.

The coarse granules have the following particle-size distribution (witha 200 basic analytical sieving machine):

0.4% by weight <800 μm 9.6% by weight 800-1250 μm 67.5% by weight1250-1600 μm 22.2% by weight 1600-2000 μm 0.4% by weight >2000 μm.

The bulk density of the coarse granules is 465 g/l and the moisturecontent is 6.3%.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 2

Two liters of water are added to 2 liters (780 grams) of Faserit.Subsequently, the mixture is thoroughly stirred with an agitator. Theresult is a pasty, sprayable compound that can be sprayed onto a wallemploying a commercially available funnel-type spray gun operated usingair pressure (1 to 6 bar) with a 4-mm to 8-mm nozzle disk (FIG. 5, FIG.5 a and FIG. 5 b).

The viscosity of the coating compound is 4500 mPas.

The Faserit has the following particle-size distribution (with an Alpineair-jet sieve):

27.2% by weight  >40 μm 18.0% by weight  >50 μm 13.6% by weight  >63 μm12.4% by weight  >90 μm 10.0% by weight >100 μm.

The bulk density of the Faserit is 390 g/l and the moisture content is1.9%.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 3

Two liters of water are added to 2 liters (146 grams) of Nature-Floc®Atlanta. Subsequently, the mixture is thoroughly stirred with anagitator. The result is a pasty, sprayable compound that can be sprayedonto a wall employing a commercially available funnel-type spray gunoperated using air pressure (1 to 6 bar) with a 4-mm to 8-mm nozzle disk(FIG. 6, FIG. 6 a and FIG. 6 b).

The viscosity of the coating compound is 4800 mPas.

Nature-Floc® Atlanta has the following particle-size distribution (withan Alpine air-jet sieve):

80.0% by weight  >40 μm 68.6% by weight  >50 μm 56.6% by weight  >63 μm45.4% by weight  >90 μm 34.8% by weight >100 μm.

The bulk density of Nature-Floc® Atlanta is 73 g/l and the moisturecontent is 5.2%.

COMPARATIVE EXAMPLE 4

Two liters of water are added to 2 liters (146 grams) of Nature-Floc®California. Subsequently, the mixture is thoroughly stirred with anagitator. The result is a pasty, sprayable compound that can be sprayedonto a wall employing a commercially available funnel-type spray gunoperated using air pressure (1 to 6 bar) with a 4-mm to 8-mm nozzle disk(FIG. 7, FIG. 7 a and FIG. 7 b).

The viscosity of the coating compound is 6600 mPas.

Nature-Floc® California has the following particle-size distribution(with an Alpine air-jet sieve):

78.2% by weight  >40 μm 70.8% by weight  >50 μm 65.0% by weight  >63 μm59.0% by weight  >90 μm 54.6% by weight >100 μm.

The bulk density of Nature-Floc® California is 148 g/l and the moisturecontent is 3.3%.

EXAMPLE 4

A mixture consisting of

-   -   9.0 liters of sieved granules (like in Example 2)    -   12.5 liters of Caparol Malerit ELF paint and    -   8.0 liters of water        is used to prepare a pasty, sprayable compound analogously to        Example 1.

EXAMPLE 5

A mixture consisting of

-   -   15.0 liters of sieved granules (like in Example 2)    -   12.5 liters of Caparol Malerit ELF paint and    -   10.0 liters of water    -   300 grams of carboxymethyl cellulose        is used to prepare a pasty, sprayable compound analogously to        Example 1.

EXAMPLE 6

A mixture consisting of

-   -   5.0 liters of sieved granules (like in Example 2)    -   5.0 liters of cellulose fibers, type 402-2b (like in Example 1)    -   12.5 liters of Caparol Malerit ELF paint    -   250 grams of carboxymethyl cellulose        is used to prepare a pasty, sprayable compound analogously to        Example 1.

EXAMPLE 7

A mixture consisting of

-   -   8.0 liters of non-sieved granules (like in Example 1)    -   2.0 liters of marble meal    -   12.5 liters of Caparol Malerit ELF paint    -   15.0 liters of water    -   300 grams of carboxymethyl cellulose        is used to prepare a pasty, sprayable compound analogously to        Example 1.

EXAMPLE 8

A mixture consisting of

-   -   5.0 liters of coarse granules (like in Example 3)    -   7.0 kilograms of Caparol Malerit ELF dry paint    -   10.0 liters of water    -   250 grams of carboxymethyl cellulose        is used to prepare a pasty, sprayable compound analogously to        Example 1.

1. A sprayable coating agent in the form of granules containingcellulose and/or regenerated cellulose and/or cellulosic raw materialsand/or mixtures thereof with synthetic fibers and/or inorganic fibersand/or inorganic, coarse-grained, fine-grained or pulverulent substancesand/or organic polymer materials and/or auxiliaries or additives,whereby the granules have a density of 1 g/cm³ to 5 g/cm³, a moisturecontent of 1% to 20%, a bulk density of 150 g/l to 1500 g/l and so thatthe granules, which optionally may be sieved, have the followingparticle-size distribution: 0.2-5% by weight <100 μm 1-15% by weight100-250 μm 4-25% by weight 250-400 μm 8-30% by weight 400-600 μm 10-35%by weight 600-800 μm 15-40% by weight 800-1250 μm 7-20% by weight >1250μm.


2. The sprayable coating agent according to claim 1 wherein the densityof the granules ranges from 1.2 g/cm³ to 3.1 g/cm³.
 3. The sprayablecoating agent according to claim 1 wherein the moisture content of thegranules ranges from 2% to 12%.
 4. The sprayable coating agent accordingto claim 1 wherein the bulk density of the granules ranges from 170 g/lto 600 g/l.
 5. The sprayable coating agent according to claim 1 whereinthe cellulose is selected from the group consisting of cotton, linters,pulp, paper, flax, hemp, jute, cuprammonium silk, rayon, lyocel and/orcolored fibers.
 6. The sprayable coating agent according to claim 1wherein the cellulosic raw material is wood, wood shavings, sawdust,straw and/or cork.
 7. The sprayable coating agent according to claim 1wherein the proportion of cellulosic granules in the mixture ranges from40% to 100% by weight.
 8. The sprayable coating agent according to claim1 wherein the mixtures contain auxiliaries and additives in amountsranging from 0% to 40% by weight.
 9. The sprayable coating agentaccording to claim 1 wherein the proportion of organic polymer materialsin the mixture ranges from 0% to 40% by weight.
 10. The sprayablecoating agent according to claim 9 wherein the auxiliaries and additivesare organic or inorganic substances, colorants, binders, curing agents,dispersants, preservatives, fungicides, mica, flame-resistant materials,nanoparticles of any type and/or water.
 11. The sprayable coating agentaccording to claim 10 wherein the colorant is a white or colored organicor inorganic colorant.
 12. The sprayable coating agent defined in claim1 comprising a mixture of pre-ground, non-sieved granules of pulpcellulose as the granules of cellulose, and a colorant as the auxiliaryor additive material.
 13. The sprayable coating agent according to claim1 wherein the synthetic fibers are polyester, polyamide,polyacrylonitrile, polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene and/oracetate fibers.
 14. The sprayable coating agent according to claim 1wherein the inorganic fibers are silicate, water glass, glass, metaland/or carbon fibers.
 15. The sprayable coating agent according to claim1 wherein the proportion of synthetic fibers in the mixture ranges from0% to 60% by weight.
 16. The sprayable coating agent according to claim1 wherein the proportion of inorganic fibers in the mixture ranges from0% to 60% by weight.
 17. The sprayable coating agent according to claim1 wherein the inorganic, coarse-grained, fine-grained or pulverulentsubstances are marble, quartz sand, silicic acid, chalk, gypsum,carbonates and/or metal oxides.
 18. The sprayable coating agentaccording to claim 1 wherein the proportion of inorganic coarse-grained,fine-grained or pulverulent substances in the mixture ranges from 0% to40% by weight.
 19. The sprayable coating agent according to claim 1wherein the organic polymer materials are polyethylene,polytetrafluoroethylene, polystyrene foam, acrylates, rubber and/orother modified and unmodified polysaccharides.
 20. The sprayable coatingagent according to claim 1 wherein the proportion of organic polymermaterials in the mixture ranges from 0% to 40% by weight.
 21. Asprayable coating agent in the form of granules containing celluloseand/or regenerated cellulose and/or cellulosic raw materials and/ormixtures thereof with synthetic fibers and/or inorganic fibers and/orinorganic, coarse-grained, fine-grained or pulverulent substances and/ororganic polymer materials and/or auxiliaries or additives, whereby thegranules have a density of 1 g/cm³ to 5 g/cm³, a moisture content of5.7%, a bulk density of 352 g/l and so the granules have the followingparticle-size distribution:  2.5% by weight  <100 μm 18.8% by weight 100-250 μm  7.5% % by weight  250-400 μm 11.9% by weight  400-600 μm27.1% by weight 800-1250 μm 19.7% by weight >1250 μm.


22. A sprayable coating agent in the form of sieved granules containingcellulose and/or regenerated cellulose and/or cellulosic raw materialsand/or mixtures thereof with synthetic fibers and/or inorganic fibersand/or inorganic, coarse-grained, fine-grained or pulverulent substancesand/or organic polymer materials and/or auxiliaries or additives,whereby the granules have a density of 1 g/cm³ to 5 g/cm³, a moisturecontent of 5.9%, a bulk density of 326 g/l and so that the sievedgranules have the following particle-size distribution:  6.1% by weight <100 μm  4.3% by weight  100-250 μm  6.2% by weight  250-400 μm 14.0%by weight  400-600 μm 14.5% by weight  600-800 μm 43.1% by weight800-1250 μm 12.0% by weight >1250 μm.


23. A sprayable coating agent in the form of granules containingcellulose and/or regenerated cellulose and/or cellulosic raw materialsand/or mixtures thereof with synthetic fibers and/or inorganic fibersand/or inorganic, coarse-grained, fine-grained or pulverulent substancesand/or organic polymer materials and/or auxiliaries or additives,whereby the granules have a density of 1 g/cm³to 5 g/cm³, a moisturecontent of 1% to 20%, a bulk density of 150 g/l to 1500 g/l and so thatthe granules, which optionally may be sieved, have the followingparticle-size distribution:  5-10% by weight  <800 μm 10-50% by weight 800-1250 μm 25-70% by weight 1250-1600 μm  7-15% by weight 1600-2000 μm 3-5% by weight >2000 μm.


24. The sprayable coating agent according to claim 23 wherein thedensity of the granules ranges from 1.2 g/cm³ to 3.1 g/cm³.
 25. Thesprayable coating agent according to claim 23 wherein the moisturecontent of the granules ranges from 2% to 12%.
 26. The sprayable coatingagent according to claim 23 wherein the bulk density of the granulesranges from 170 g/l to 600 g/l.
 27. The sprayable coating agentaccording to claim 23 wherein the cellulose is selected from the groupconsisting of cotton, linters, pulp, paper, flax, hemp, jute,cuprammonium silk, rayon, lyocel and/or colored fibers.
 28. Thesprayable coating agent according to claim 23 wherein the cellulosic rawmaterial is wood, wood shavings, sawdust, straw and/or cork.
 29. Thesprayable coating agent according to claim 23 wherein the proportion ofcellulosic granules in the mixture ranges from 40% to 100% by weight.30. The sprayable coating agent according to claim 23 wherein themixtures contain auxiliaries and additives in amounts ranging from 0% to40% by weight.
 31. The sprayable coating agent according to claim 23wherein the mixtures contain organic polymers in amounts ranging from 0%to 40% by weight.
 32. The sprayable coating agent according to claim 31wherein the auxiliaries and additives are organic or inorganicsubstances, colorants, binders, curing agents, dispersants,preservatives, fungicides, mica, flame-resistant materials,nanoparticles of any type and/or water.
 33. The sprayable coating agentaccording to claim 32 wherein the colorant is a white or colored organicor inorganic colorant.
 34. The sprayable coating agent defined in claim23 comprising a mixture of pre-ground, non-sieved granules of pulpcellulose as the granules of cellulose, and a colorant as the auxiliaryor additive material.
 35. The sprayable coating agent according to claim23 wherein the synthetic fibers are polyester, polyamide,polyacrylonitrile, polyurethane, polyethylene, polypropylene and/oracetate fibers.
 36. The sprayable coating agent according to claim 23wherein the inorganic fibers are silicate, water glass, glass, metaland/or carbon fibers.
 37. The sprayable coating agent according to claim23 wherein the proportion of synthetic fibers in the mixture ranges from0% to 60% by weight.
 38. The sprayable coating agent according to claim23 wherein the proportion of inorganic fibers in the mixture ranges from0% to 60% by weight.
 39. The sprayable coating agent according to claim23 wherein the inorganic, coarse-grained, fine-grained or pulverulentsubstances are marble, quartz sand, silicic acid, chalk, gypsum,carbonates and/or metal oxides.
 40. The sprayable coating agentaccording to claim 23 wherein the proportion of inorganiccoarse-grained, fine-grained or pulverulent substances in the mixtureranges from 0% to 40% by weight.
 41. The sprayable coating agentaccording to claim 23 wherein the organic polymer materials arepolyethylene, polypropylene, polytetrafluoroethylene, polystyrene foam,acrylates, rubber and/or other modified and unmodified polysaccharides.42. The sprayable coating agent according to claim 23 wherein theproportion of organic polymer materials in the mixture ranges from 0% to40% by weight.
 43. A sprayable coating agent in the form of granulescontaining cellulose and/or regenerated cellulose and/or cellulosic rawmaterials and/or mixtures thereof with synthetic fibers and/or inorganicfibers and/or inorganic, coarse-grained fine-grained or pulverulentsubstances and/or organic polymer materials and/or auxiliaries oradditives, whereby the granules have a density of 1 g/cm³ to 5 g/cm³, amoisture content of 6.3%, a bulk density of 465 g/l and so that thegranules have the following particle-size distribution:  0.4% by weight <800 μm  9.6% by weight  800-1250 μm 67.5% by weight 1250-1600 μm 22.2%by weight 1600-2000 μm  0.4% by weight >2000 μm.


44. A method for making a sprayable coating agent in the form ofgranules containing cellulose and/or regenerated cellulose and/orcellulosic raw materials and/or mixtures thereof with synthetic fibersand/or inorganic fibers and/or inorganic, coarse-grained, fine-grainedor pulverulent substances and/or organic polymer materials and/orauxiliaries or additives, whereby the granules have a density of 1 g/cm³to 5 g/cm³, a moisture content of 1% to 20%, a bulk density of 150 g/lto 1500 g/l and so that the granules, which optionally may be sieved,have the following particle-size distribution: 0.2-5% by weight <100 μm1-15% by weight 100-250 μm 4-25% by weight 250-400 μm 8-30% by weight400-600 μm 10-35% by weight 600-800 μm 15-40% by weight 800-1250 μm7-20% by weight >1250 μm

comprising the step of: (a) grinding up the fibrous and coarse-grainedcellulosic starting materials before granulation to obtain a grindingstock having the following particle-size distribution: 40 to 65% byweight  >40 μm 25 to 45% by weight  >50 μm  5 to 20% by weight  >63 μm 0 to 10% by weight  >90 μm  0 to 5% by weight >100 μm;

(b) compacting the grinding stock to form a pressed piece of compactedcellulosic material; (c) granulating the compacted cellulosic materialto obtain the cellulosic granules of the abovementioned particle sizedistribution; and (d) optionally sieving the cellulosic granulesaccording to step (c).
 45. The method for the production of thesprayable coating agent according to claim 44 wherein according to step(b) the starting materials or material mixtures are compacted to form apressed piece using a contact force ranging from 30 kN to 400 kN. 46.The method for the production of the sprayable coating agent accordingto claim 45 wherein the starting materials or material mixtures arecompacted using a commercially available compactor.
 47. The method forthe production of the sprayable coating agent according to claim 44wherein some of the auxiliaries or additives are admixed with thestarting materials or material mixtures prior to the compacting,granulating or sieving operations.
 48. The method for the production ofthe sprayable coating agent according to claim 44 wherein water is addedto the starting materials or material mixtures prior to the compacting,granulating or sieving operations.
 49. The method for the production ofthe sprayable coating agent according to claim 44 wherein the granulesare stirred with water to form a stiff, semi-fluid, pasty coatingcompound having a viscosity ranging from 300 to 20,000 mPas.
 50. Themethod for the production of the sprayable coating agent according toclaim 44 wherein the granules are stirred with water and optionally withconventional auxiliaries and/or additives to form a stiff, semi-fluid,pasty coating compound having a viscosity ranging from 300 to 80,000mPas.
 51. The method for the production of the sprayable coating agentaccording to claim 44 wherein the granules are stirred with water andoptionally with colored fibers and/or metallic fibers and/or metallicparticles and/or mother-of-pearl and/or inorganic and/or organic dyedparticles in order to achieve certain visual effects so as to form astiff, semi-fluid, pasty coating compound having a viscosity rangingfrom 300 to 90,000 mPas.
 52. The method for the production of thesprayable coating agent according to claim 51 wherein the stiff,semi-fluid, pasty coating compound contains 5% to 40% by weight ofgranules, 0% to 60% by weight of water and 0% to 95% by weight ofauxiliaries and/or additives.
 53. The method for the production of thesprayable coating agent according to claim 44 wherein a dry mixture isprepared that contains 5% to 100% by weight of granules and 0% to 95% byweight of auxiliaries and/or additives.
 54. The method for theproduction of the sprayable coating agent according to claim 53 whereinwater is added to the starting materials or material mixtures prior tothe compacting, granulating or sieving operations.
 55. The method forthe production of the sprayable coating agent according to claim 53wherein the granules are stirred with water to form a stiff, semi-fluid,pasty coating compound having a viscosity ranging from 300 to 20,000mPas.
 56. The method for the production of the sprayable coating agentaccording to claim 53 wherein the granules are stirred with water andoptionally with conventional auxiliaries and/or additives to form astiff, semi-fluid, pasty coating compound having a viscosity rangingfrom 300 to 80,000 mPas.
 57. The method for the production of thesprayable coating agent according to claim 53 wherein the granules arestirred with water and optionally with colored fibers and/or metallicfibers and/or metallic particles and/or mother-of-pearl and/or inorganicand/or organic dyed particles in order to achieve certain visual effectsso as to form a stiff, semi-fluid, pasty coating compound having aviscosity ranging from 300 to 90,000 mPas.
 58. The method for theproduction of the sprayable coating agent according to claim 56 whereinthe stiff, semi-fluid, pasty coating compound contains 5% to 40% byweight of granules, 0% to 60% by weight of water and 0% to 95% by weightof auxiliaries and/or additives.
 59. A method for making a sprayablecoating agent in the form of granules containing cellulose and/orregenerated cellulose and/or cellulosic raw materials and/or mixturesthereof with synthetic fibers and/or inorganic fibers and/or inorganic,coarse-grained, fine-grained or pulverulent substances and/or organicpolymer materials and/or auxiliaries or additives, whereby the granuleshave a density of 1 g/cm3 to 5 g/cm3, a moisture content of 1% to 20%, abulk density of 150 g/l to 1500 g/l and so that the granules, whichoptionally may be sieved, have the following particle-size distribution:5-10% by weight <800 μm 10-50% by weight 800-1250 μm 25-70% by weight1250-1600 μm 7-15% by weight 1600-2000 μm 3-5% by weight >2000 μm

comprising the step of: (a) grinding up the fibrous and coarse-grainedcellulosic starting materials before granulation to obtain a grindingstock having the following particle-size distribution: 40 to 65% byweight  >40 μm 25 to 45% by weight  >50 μm  5 to 20% by weight  >63 μm 0 to 10% by weight  >90 μm  0 to 5% by weight >100 μm;

(b) compacting the grinding stock to form a pressed piece of compactedcellulosic material; (c) granulating the compacted cellulosic materialto a obtain the cellulosic granules of the abovementioned particle sizedistribution; and (d) optionally sieving the cellulosic granulesaccording to step (c).
 60. The method for the production of thesprayable coating agent according to claim 59 wherein according to step(b) the starting materials or material mixtures are compacted to form apressed piece using a contact force ranging from 30 kN to 400 kN. 61.The method for the production of the sprayable coating agent accordingto claim 60 wherein the starting materials or material mixtures arecompacted using a commercially available compactor.
 62. The method forthe production of the sprayable coating agent according to claim 59wherein some of the auxiliaries or additives are admixed with thestarting materials or material mixtures prior to the compacting,granulating or sieving operations.
 63. A method of applying a decorativecoating, finishing or structuring to an interior or exterior surfacewhich comprises the step of applying directly onto the interior orexterior surface a sprayable coating agent in the form of granulescontaining cellulose and/or regenerated cellulose and/or cellulosic rawmaterials and/or mixtures thereof with synthetic fibers and/or inorganicfibers and/or inorganic, coarse-grained, fine-grained or pulverulentsubstances and/or organic polymer materials and/or auxiliaries oradditives whereby the granules have a density of 1 g/cm³ to 5 g/cm³, amoisture content of 1% to 20%, a bulk density of 150 g/l to 1500 g/l andso that the granules, which optionally may be sieved, have the followingparticle-size distribution:  0-40% by weight   0-600 μm  5-55% by weight600-1250 μm  5-95% by weight >1250 μm or  0-15% by weight   0-800 μm10-85% by weight 800-2000 μm  0-15% by weight >2000 μm.


64. The method of applying a decorative coating, finishing orstructuring to an interior or exterior surface defined in claim 63wherein the cellulose granules have the following particle-sizedistribution:  0.2-5% by weight  <100 μm   1-15% by weight  100-250 μm  4-25% by weight  250-400 μm   8-30% by weight  400-600 μm  10-35% byweight  600-800 μm  15-40% by weight 800-1250 μm   7-20% by weight >1250μm.


65. The method of applying a decorative coating, finishing orstructuring to an interior or exterior surface defined in claim 63wherein the cellulose granules have the following particle-sizedistribution:  5-10% by weight  <800 μm 10-50% by weight  800-1250 μm25-70% by weight 1250-1600 μm  7-15% by weight 1600-2000 μm  3-5% byweight >2000 μm.


66. The method of applying a decorative coating, finishing orstructuring to an interior or exterior surface defined in claim 63wherein the sprayable coating agent is a stiff, semi-fluid pastycomposition.
 67. The method of applying a decorative coating, finishingor structuring to an interior or exterior surface defined in claim 66wherein the stiff, semi-fluid pasty composition is applied onto thesurface to be coated with a spraying device so that a desired surfacestructure can be set by the granularity of the granules.
 68. The methodof applying a decorative coating, finishing or structuring to aninterior or exterior surface defined in claim 66 wherein the stiff,semi-fluid pasty composition is mixed with water prior to applying thecomposition directly onto the interior or exterior surface.
 69. Asprayable coating agent in the form of dry granules containing celluloseand/or regenerated cellulose and/or cellulosic raw materials and/ormixtures thereof with synthetic fibers and/or inorganic fibers and/orin-organic, coarse-grained, fine-grained or pulverulent substancesand/or organic polymer materials and/or auxiliaries or additives,whereby the granules have a density of 1 g/cm³ to 5 g/cm³, a bulkdensity of 150 g/l to 1500 g/l and so that the granules, whichoptionally may be sieved, have the following particle-size distribution: 0.2-5% by weight  <100 μm   1-15% by weight  100-250 μm   4-25% byweight  250-400 μm   8-30% by weight  400-600 μm  10-35% by weight 600-800 μm  15-40% by weight 800-1250 μm   7-20% by weight >1250 μm.


70. A method for making a sprayable coating agent in the form of drygranules containing cellulose and/or regenerated cellulose and/orcellulosic raw materials and/or mixtures thereof with synthetic fibersand/or inorganic fibers and/or inorganic, coarse-grained, fine-grainedor pulverulent substances and/or organic polymer materials and/orauxiliaries or additives, whereby the dry granules have a density of 1g/cm³ to 5 g/cm³, a bulk density of 150 g/l to 1500 g/l and so that thegranules, which optionally may be sieved, have the followingparticle-size distribution:  5-10% by weight  <800 μm 10-50% by weight 800-1250 μm 25-70% by weight 1250-1600 μm  7-15% by weight 1600-2000 μm 3-5% by weight >2000 μm

comprising the step of: (a) grinding up the fibrous and coarse-grainedcellulosic starting materials before granulation to obtain a drygrinding stock having the following particle-size distribution: 40 to65% by weight  >40 μm 25 to 45% by weight  >50 μm  5 to 20% by weight >63 μm  0 to 10% by weight >901 μm  0 to 5% by weight >100 μm;

(b) compacting the dry grinding stock to form a pressed piece ofcompacted cellulosic material; (c) granulating the compacted cellulosicmaterial to obtain the dry cellulosic granules of the abovementionedparticle size distribution; and (d) optionally sieving the drycellulosic granules according to step (c).
 71. A method of applying adecorative coating, finishing or structuring to an interior or exteriorsurface which comprises the step of (a) preparing the sprayable coatingagent in the form of dry granules according to claim 70; (b) stirring thdry granules containing cellulose with water to form a stiff,semi-fluid, pasty coating composition, suitable for coating a wall orceiling; and (c) applying the stiff, semi-fluid, pasty coatingcomposition directly onto the inter exterior surface.